Q: What is the UK current law regarding changing a name?
A: If you wish to be known by a different name you can change your name at any time, provided you do not intend to deceive or defraud another person. There is no legal procedure to follow in order to change a name. You simply start using the new name. You can change your forename or surname, add names or rearrange your existing names.

Although there is no legal way to change a name, you may want evidence that you have changed your name.

Q: Do I need evidence of my change of name?
A: You do not need legal proof that you have changed your name, provided that you can be identified by your new chosen name. However, there are some circumstances, for example, applying for a passport, when additional evidence of the change of name is required. The evidence required varies depending on the purpose for which it is needed and can include:-

• A Deed Poll.
• A letter from a responsible person
• A public announcement
• A statutory declaration

Q: What is a Deed Poll?
A: A Deed Poll is a formal statement to prove that your name has been changed.

Q: Who can use a Deed Poll to change their name?
A: You can use a Deed Poll to change your name if you are a British citizen and live in the United Kingdom and are over the age of 16.

A child or young persons name can be changed by applying for a child Deed Poll, this can only be done by a person with parental responsibility for the child. You will also need consent from everyone with parental responsibility for the child.

Q: Who can witness me sign my Deed Poll?
A: The witness need not be a solicitor and can be anyone over the age of 18 provided they are not related to you.

Q: Why a person would want to change his or her name?
A: There are various reasons why a person would want to change his or her name, some of the most common ones are -

• After Divorce a woman may wish to change her name back to her maiden name.
• A woman may wish to use their maiden name as a middle name.
• A person who generally dislikes their name.
• Couples may choose to have a double-barrelled surname after marriage.
• A person changing their name after adopting a new religion.
• When a person changes their gender.
• To replace a name given by their parents (e.g., old name James Bond, new name Jason Bond; a well known example is Elton John, who changed from Reginald Kenneth Dwight in favour of a career in the Music Industry)
• To replace a serious name given by their parents with a frivolous name
• To dissociate themselves from a famous or infamous person (e.g., old name Michael Jackson new name Martin Jackson)
• To identify with a famous or infamous person (e.g., old name Simon Johnson, new name Simon Pendragon)

• The Identity and Passport Service (to update your passport)
• Driving licence agency
• Tax and National Insurance records
• Employers
• Credit card companies
• Bank accounts / names on checkbook
• Mortgage
• Voter registration
• Doctor, dentist, medical records
• Health, life, auto, and home insurance policies
• Clubs
• Memberships
• Discount, courtesy, and frequent-flyer cards
• Utility companies (phone, cable, gas, electric, etc.)
• Legal Contracts

Q: Does a Deed Poll need to be registered somewhere?
A: Contrary to popular belief, there is no central register of name changes in the United Kingdom. Deed Polls are not registered anywhere unless they are "enrolled" i.e. lodged for safe keeping, in the Close Rolls of the Chancery (from 1851 to 1902) and from 1903, in the Enrolment Books of the Supreme Court of Judicature, which is located within the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London.

Enrolling a Deed Poll provides a public record of a person's name change and since 1914 the details of the name change are published in either the London Gazette or Belfast Gazette.

Deed Polls that have been enrolled at the Royal Courts of Justice in London remain with us for five years. After which (and going back to 1851), they can be found at the National Archives, which is located at Kew in Richmond, Surrey.

Source: http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/9805.htm

Q: Can a birth certificate be changed using a Deed Poll?
A: You cannot change details on your birth certificate with a Deed Poll. Both the birth certificate and the deed would need to be presented as proof of identity.

To have your Deed Poll certified you would have to send your original Deed Poll back to us after you and your witness have signed it. It is much easier for you to order extra original copies of your Deed Poll and sign all of them in presence of your witness, this way they all serve as an original Deed Poll document. We recommend you always keep at least one original with you and send the extra copies to get your information updated.

If you lose your Deed Poll we will issue you a new one free of charge.

Q: What is parental responsibility?
A: Parental responsibility is a legal concept that consists of the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority that most parents have in respect of their children.

Q: Who possesses parental responsibility?
A: In relation to children born before 1 December 2003 in England and Wales, 15 April 2002 in Northern Ireland, and 4 May 2006 in Scotland, both of a child’s biological parents will only automatically acquire parental responsibility if they were married at the time of the child’s conception or at some time thereafter. If the parents have never been married only the mother automatically has parental responsibility. The father may also had acquired it in various ways, including by entering into a parental responsibility agreement with the mother, or through a parental responsibility order made by a court.

In relation to children born after 1 December 2003 (England and Wales), 15 April 2002 (Northern Ireland) or 4 May 2006 (Scotland), both of a child’s legal parents have parental responsibility if they are registered on the child’s birth certificate. This applies irrespective of whether the parents are married or not.

If both parents have parental responsibility, neither lose it if they divorce, and responsibility endures if the child is in care or custody. It can, however, be restricted by court order.

Q: Is consent from everyone with parental responsibility required?
A: Yes. You must have consent from everyone with parental responsibility for the child. The information above will help you find out about who has parental responsibility.

If you have any further questions feel free to contact us and we try our best to answer your questions.